The conversation around stablecoins has gained significant momentum in recent months, fueled by Stripe’s acquisition of Bridge and advancements in U.S. regulatory frameworks like the GENIUS Act. From bank CEOs to fintech product managers and government officials, key decision-makers are increasingly vocal about the transformative potential of stablecoins.
At their core, stablecoins are built on four foundational pillars:
- Instant settlement (T+0): Drastically reduces working capital requirements
- Ultra-low transaction costs: Especially when compared to legacy systems like SWIFT
- Global accessibility: Available 24/7 with only an internet connection
- Programmability: Currency governed by open-source code, enabling advanced financial logic
These pillars clearly illustrate the value proposition widely promoted in headlines and industry discussions. While the “why” behind stablecoins is easy to grasp, the “how” remains far more complex. Many traditional fintech leaders and financial institutions still lack clear, actionable strategies for integrating stablecoins into existing business models.
This article serves as a high-level guide for non-crypto businesses exploring real-world stablecoin applications. We’ll explore four distinct business models—consumer fintech banking, commercial banking and B2B services, payroll platforms, and card issuers—detailing where stablecoins create value, practical implementation roadmaps, and product architecture post-integration.
Ultimately, while headlines matter, widespread real-world adoption is what will drive the next phase of innovation. Our goal is to help accelerate that vision.
Consumer Fintech Banking
For consumer-facing digital banks (To C), the key metrics for growth are user scale, average revenue per user (ARPU), and churn rate. Stablecoins directly enhance the first two by enabling new revenue streams and attracting underserved customer segments through faster, cheaper cross-border payments.
As globalization and digital connectivity continue to reshape financial behavior, many fintechs now serve cross-border user bases. Some, like Revolut or DolarApp, have international money transfer at their core. Others, such as Nubank or Lemon, use it as an ARPU booster. For startups targeting diaspora communities—like Felix Pago or Abound—remittances are a primary need.
All of these businesses benefit—or will benefit—from integrating stablecoin-based transfers.
👉 Discover how fintechs are unlocking global payments with blockchain efficiency.
Compared to traditional services like Western Union, stablecoin transfers are faster (instant vs. 2–5 days) and cheaper (as low as 30 bps vs. over 300 bps). For example, DolarApp charges just $3 to send USD to Mexico—with instant delivery. This explains why stablecoin adoption has already reached 10–20% in corridors like U.S.-Mexico, with growth accelerating.
Beyond revenue generation, stablecoins optimize internal operations. Consider the weekend banking closure problem: traditional systems delay settlements by two days. Fintechs often cover this gap with working capital advances, incurring opportunity costs—especially in high-interest environments—and risking liquidity strain.
Stablecoins eliminate this friction. Robinhood, one of the world’s largest fintech platforms, exemplifies this shift. CEO Vlad Tenev stated in a Q1 2025 earnings call: “We’re using stablecoins to process a growing volume of weekend settlements.”
So how should consumer fintechs implement stablecoins?
Real-Time, 24/7 Settlement
- Use USD-pegged stablecoins (e.g., USDC, USDT, USDG) for instant payments—including holidays
- Integrate wallet/coordination providers (e.g., Fireblocks or Bridge) to connect banking systems with blockchain-based USD flows
- Partner with fiat off-ramp providers (e.g., Africa’s Yellow Card) for B2B/B2B2C conversions
Bridging Weekend Fiat Gaps
- Use stablecoins as temporary fiat substitutes during banking closures
- Collaborate with Paxos or similar issuers to build internal stablecoin settlement rings between customer and business accounts
Instant Partner Payouts
- Bypass ACH or bank wires; settle directly with exchanges or liquidity partners via on-chain transfers
Automated Multinational Rebalancing
- During fiat system downtime, use on-chain stablecoin transfers to rebalance funds across subsidiaries
- Enables headquarters to build an automated, scalable global treasury management system
Beyond these functions, a new generation of “all-weather, real-time, composable” banks is emerging. Payments are just the beginning—programmable payrolls, cross-border asset management, and tokenized securities are on the horizon. Early adopters will win through superior UX, richer product matrices, and lower cost structures.
Commercial Banking & B2B Services
Business owners in markets like Nigeria, Indonesia, or Brazil often struggle to open USD accounts locally. Only high-volume companies or those with special relationships qualify—and even then, USD liquidity depends on bank availability. Local currency accounts expose entrepreneurs to both banking and sovereign risk, requiring constant FX monitoring to preserve working capital. International supplier payments also incur high conversion fees.
Stablecoins can significantly reduce these frictions—and forward-thinking commercial banks can lead the charge.
Using regulated digital dollar assets like USDC or USDG, businesses can:
- Hold multi-currency balances without maintaining multiple banking relationships
- Conduct Level 2 cross-border payments—bypassing traditional correspondent banking networks
- Earn yield on stablecoin deposits
This allows commercial banks to upgrade basic checking accounts into global, multi-currency treasury solutions, offering unprecedented speed, transparency, and financial resilience.
Global USD/Multi-Currency Account Services
- Banks custody stablecoins for businesses via partners like Fireblocks or Stripe-Bridge
- Reduce operational costs (e.g., fewer licensing requirements, eliminate FBO accounts)
High-Yield Products Backed by U.S. Treasuries
- Offer yields near the federal funds rate (~4%) with significantly lower credit risk than local banks
- Requires integration with yield-bearing stablecoin providers (e.g., Paxos) or tokenized treasury platforms (e.g., Superstate or Securitize)
24/7 Real-Time Payments
See consumer fintech section for technical implementation
High-Potential Global Use Cases
- Importers pay in USD within seconds; foreign exporters release goods immediately
- Corporate treasurers move funds across borders in real time—eliminating correspondent bank delays
- Entrepreneurs in high-inflation countries use USD stablecoins to stabilize their balance sheets
Payroll Platforms
For payroll providers, the greatest value of stablecoins lies in serving employers who pay contractors in emerging markets.
Cross-border payments—especially into regions with weak financial infrastructure—impose heavy costs. These are either absorbed by the platform, passed to employers, or deducted from contractor pay. The clearest opportunity? Launch a stablecoin payment channel.
As previously noted, transferring stablecoins from U.S. financial rails to a contractor’s digital wallet is nearly free and instant. While contractors may still pay small fees to convert to local fiat, they gain immediate access to globally strong USD-backed assets.
Evidence of growing demand:
- Users pay an average 4.7% premium to obtain USD stablecoins
- In Argentina, that premium exceeds 30%
- Freelancers across Latin America increasingly prefer stablecoin compensation
- Platforms like Airtm report exponential growth in stablecoin usage and user base
- Over 250 million digital wallets actively used stablecoins in the past year
👉 See how payroll platforms are cutting costs and expanding globally with crypto rails.
Beyond end-user benefits, stablecoins offer major advantages for enterprise clients:
- Transparency & Customization: A recent fintech survey found 66% of payroll professionals lack tools to track true banking and payment costs. Fees are often opaque.
Automation & Accounting Efficiency: Today’s payroll involves manual work—accounting, tax reporting, reconciliation. Stablecoins’ programmability and integrated ledger (blockchain) enable:
- Batch smart contract payouts
- Automated tax withholding
- Real-time reconciliation via API
Implementation Strategy
Real-Time 24/7 Payments – As covered above
Closed-Loop Spending
- Partner with stablecoin card platforms like Rain for direct spending
- Integrate with wallets offering savings and yield features
Automated Accounting & Tax Reconciliation
- Use blockchain’s immutable ledger to sync transactions with accounting systems via API
- Automate tax withholding, journal entries, and reconciliation
Programmable Payroll & Embedded Finance
- Use smart contracts for conditional payments (e.g., bonuses)
- Integrate DeFi protocols for salary-based financial services
- In some regions, bypass costly local bank partners entirely
Platforms like Glim (and indirectly Lemon) are already building these capabilities.
Card Issuers
Many businesses generate core revenue through card issuance. Chime, which went public on June 12, earns over $1 billion annually from U.S. transaction fees alone. Yet despite its scale, its Visa partnership and banking infrastructure offer little support for international expansion.
Traditional card issuance requires country-by-country licensing from networks like Visa or partnerships with local banks—a major barrier. Nubank, despite being publicly traded, only began expanding internationally after more than a decade.
Additionally, issuers must post collateral with card networks to cover default risk. Networks assess 4–7 days of transaction volume and set collateral requirements—tying up capital and raising entry barriers.
Stablecoins are transforming this model.
👉 Explore how new card programs are scaling globally without traditional banking bottlenecks.
- New Issuance Platforms: Companies like Rain leverage primary Visa membership to offer global card issuance via stablecoins, enabling fintechs to launch cards across Colombia, Mexico, Bolivia, and beyond simultaneously.
- 24/7 Settlement: Stablecoin-enabled weekend settlements reduce counterparty risk—lowering collateral requirements and freeing up capital.
- On-chain Verification & Composability: Transparent settlement flows improve collateral management efficiency—reducing working capital needs.
Implementation Blueprint
- Partner with Visa and card issuers to launch global USD-denominated card programs
Flexible settlement options:
- Direct stablecoin settlement (supports weekend/overnight clearing)
- Card network generates daily settlement reports; display linked stablecoin address
- Optionally convert stablecoin back to fiat before settling with network
- Reduced collateral requirements due to 24/7 settlement capability
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are stablecoins legal for business use?
A: Yes—regulated stablecoins like USDC and USDG operate under compliance frameworks and are increasingly recognized by regulators worldwide.
Q: How do businesses convert stablecoins to fiat?
A: Through licensed off-ramp providers (e.g., Circle, Stripe) or integrated banking partners that support two-way conversion.
Q: What are the main risks of adopting stablecoins?
A: Regulatory uncertainty in some regions and counterparty risk with custodians—but these are mitigated by using audited, reserve-backed tokens.
Q: Can small businesses benefit from stablecoins?
A: Absolutely—especially those with cross-border operations or remote teams. Lower fees and faster access to capital improve cash flow.
Q: Do I need blockchain expertise to integrate stablecoins?
A: Not necessarily—many third-party providers offer plug-and-play APIs for custody, payments, and compliance.
Q: How do stablecoins compare to traditional payment rails?
A: They offer faster settlement, lower costs, global reach, and programmability—making them ideal for modern financial infrastructure.
Today’s stablecoins are no longer speculative—they’re operational tools driving real business value. The question isn’t if companies should adopt them, but when and how. From consumer fintechs to payroll platforms and card issuers, those who move beyond pilot programs into full integration will gain clear advantages in cost savings, revenue growth, and market expansion.
With strong infrastructure partners and evolving regulation reducing execution risk, now is the optimal time to build.